All of us who had the interview already might want to add to this thread as this question also comes up regularly.
I can only talk about my own experience in Vancouver: you must consider up to three hours for test and interview. It might go faster, but it did not in Vancouver.
The interview took place after the test.
At some offices it goes by first comes, first served - meaning if you finish your test earlier, your interview will be earlier. Not so in Vancouver. I was one of the first ones out and one of the last ones getting her interview.
I brought ALL of my original documents:
This is a MUST:
passports (all that fall within the application period)
drivers licence
permanent residence card
transcripts of University as proof for English knowledge
I also brought -but did NOT need it:
health insurance card
social insurance number
tax files
marriage certificate as proof of my marriage to a Canadian
birth certificates of my three children who are all Canadians
report card from school to show that one of my kids still attends school
...and some other stuff as proof how well I am settled in Canada
At the beginning of the interview, I was told how I did in the exam.
Then the agent checked all of my documents and she went through all the stamps carefully checking and ticking them off with a list that she had in front of her. They know exactly when you were where.
I had missed a whole trip but had enough buffer days, so there were no worries. She asked me how I had compiled all the dates as I had an extensive travel history. I truthfully answered that I put the dates together with the help of a print out from the airline and my husband's and my calendar to the best of my knowledge.
She also asked me some questions about my family and why I am visiting so often Europe. She wanted to know about my husband and my kids and what they are doing.
At the end, she told me all looked fine and I could expect the oath within 3-5 months.
Decision made was a day later and oath 10 weeks after the interview.
I can only talk about my own experience in Vancouver: you must consider up to three hours for test and interview. It might go faster, but it did not in Vancouver.
The interview took place after the test.
At some offices it goes by first comes, first served - meaning if you finish your test earlier, your interview will be earlier. Not so in Vancouver. I was one of the first ones out and one of the last ones getting her interview.
I brought ALL of my original documents:
This is a MUST:
passports (all that fall within the application period)
drivers licence
permanent residence card
transcripts of University as proof for English knowledge
I also brought -but did NOT need it:
health insurance card
social insurance number
tax files
marriage certificate as proof of my marriage to a Canadian
birth certificates of my three children who are all Canadians
report card from school to show that one of my kids still attends school
...and some other stuff as proof how well I am settled in Canada
At the beginning of the interview, I was told how I did in the exam.
Then the agent checked all of my documents and she went through all the stamps carefully checking and ticking them off with a list that she had in front of her. They know exactly when you were where.
I had missed a whole trip but had enough buffer days, so there were no worries. She asked me how I had compiled all the dates as I had an extensive travel history. I truthfully answered that I put the dates together with the help of a print out from the airline and my husband's and my calendar to the best of my knowledge.
She also asked me some questions about my family and why I am visiting so often Europe. She wanted to know about my husband and my kids and what they are doing.
At the end, she told me all looked fine and I could expect the oath within 3-5 months.
Decision made was a day later and oath 10 weeks after the interview.
